Upper Burrell man accused of pointing loaded AR-15 at woman

An Upper Burrell man is accused of pointing a loaded AR-15 rifle at a woman and pulling the trigger, but police said the weapon malfunctioned.

Matthew Best, 32, of Upper Burrell, has been charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, loitering and prowling at night, and criminal mischief.

He was denied bail for mental health reasons and is being held in Westmoreland County Prison, according to court records.

Upper Burrell police said they responded to a report of a woman crawling along Route 780 near Menk Road around 8:15 p.m. last Friday.

When police found the woman, she told them Best had tried to kill her and she screamed. She crawled out of a home along Route 780; Best had fled.

Police took her to the police station. Upon arriving there, they said they found Best sitting in the driver’s seat of a township public works vehicle.

Upper Burrell police called for backup from Lower Burrell police, who were able to arrest Best.

The nature or severity of the woman’s injuries were not released. Calls to Upper Burrell police were not returned.

Police said a mailbox was ripped off a wall at the police station and thrown to the ground; they suspect Best.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3 before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec in Allegheny Township.

Court records did not list an attorney for Best, who could not be reached.